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This study investigated the distribution and origin of organic carbon (OC) and aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs) in sand (≥ 63 μm) and mud (< 63 μm) fractions of the Pina Sound (NE Brazil). Sedimentary OC and AHs were characterized using elemental [(C/N)a ratio], isotopic (δ13C), and molecular (AHs diagnostic ratio) proxies. On a dry weight basis, the average proportions of OC and AH contents in the mud fraction were 88 and 96%, respectively. The distribution of OC in the mud fraction was regulated by inputs from aquatic sources, while in the sand fraction, the distribution was associated with sedimentary mud contents. This reflects the hydrodynamic control on the deposition of low-density suspended particles. The mud fraction contained OC derived from aquatic producers, bacteria, and sewage while plant fragments were prevalent in the sand fraction. Sewage is a major source of oil-derived AHs in the Pina Sound. The mud fraction exhibited a high (> 100 μg/g dw) concentration of the unresolved complex mixture and a high proportion (31%) of petrogenic n-alkanes. Mud-associated pollutants can be exported to adjacent continental shelf. Geochemical analyses in size-fractionated sediments of the Pina Sound proved to be a useful procedure for better understanding estuarine OC dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Shear zones are one of the most conspicuous structures in orogenic and rifting settings, accommodating high strain, rock displacement and influencing magma emplacement and fluid flow. Since shear zones may be simultaneously or sequentially affected by multiple processes involving mineral reactions, variations in pressure-temperature conditions, fluid-rock interaction, and diffusion, determining the timing of such structures has been one of the major challenges for modern geochronology. Although low- (up to lower greenschist facies) and high-temperature shear zones (above amphibolite facies) are well-dated through low- and high-closure temperature minerals, medium-temperature shear zones developed within the critical temperature window of ∼450–550 °C, in which conventional chronometers such as 40Ar/39Ar and Rb–Sr applied to mica fish may or may not record the timing of deformation for multiple reasons (e.g., grain size, cooling rate, mineral composition, fluid activity, deformation, neo- and recrystallization). Here, we review the current knowledge on the evolution of mica fish and the effect of deformation on its chemical and isotopic systems. We evaluate the effect on the widely deployed in situ 40Ar/39Ar technique. Furthermore, we demonstrate the potential to assess mica fish evolution applying high-spatial resolution microstructural and chemical mapping techniques such as electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF–SIMS) and in situ Rb–Sr via triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (TQ-ICP-MS) to a case study of medium-temperature mylonites from the well-characterized Taxaquara shear zone, SE Brazil. We show that mica fish display complex microstructures with variable strain intensity, commonly with low strain inner cores and high strain edges and along kink planes. Strain shadows in mica fish are commonly characterized by low-strain fine-grained muscovite, suggesting recrystallization coeval with ductile deformation. Despite being intensely deformed, muscovite fish Rb–Sr retain the protolith age (c. 600 Ma), whereas recrystallized fine-grained muscovite yields the timing of deformation (c. 550–540 Ma). Synthetic shear bands cross-cutting coarse-grained muscovite fish induce muscovite recrystallization consistent with their distinct chemistry, with recrystallized muscovite characterized by higher Fe–Mg and lower Na suggesting fluid-assisted recrystallization under lower temperature compared to the muscovite fish host. We propose that these shear bands across mica fish play an important role by accommodating grain size reduction and subsequent deformation, leading to the formation of smaller individual mica fish. Grain size reduction, likely enhanced by dynamic precipitation (i.e., coeval crystal-plastic deformation and dissolution-precipitation creep), appears as the key recrystallization mechanism that allows low strain muscovite in strain shadows and shear bands to record the timing of deformation in medium-temperature shear zones, consistent with qualitative Sr diffusion modelling. • We review the microstructures, chemistry and isotopes of mica fish in mylonites. • Mica fish assessed by high-spatial resolution microstructural and chemical mapping. • Mica fish display complex strain patterns with high strain along grain edges and kink planes. • Mica fish Rb–Sr isotopes may preserve primary crystallization rather than deformation age. • Recrystallized muscovite along shear bands and strain shadow record the timing of deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Travassos, R.K.; Flores Montes, M.J.; Costa, B.V. M., and Silva Junior, J.M., 2016. The influence of urban effluents on the elemental C/N ratio in a tropical coastal area of northeastern Brazil. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 168-172. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The present study was performed in a tropical and highly eutrophic estuarine system in the urban coastal area of Greater Recife, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Organic carbon is introduced into these urban estuaries through domestic and industrial sewage waste. One indicator of anthropogenic influence is the concentration of organic matter, including the suspended elemental forms of carbon and total nitrogen and the C/N ratio. The distribution of the concentrations of both particulate organic carbon and total nitrogen (POC and TN, respectively) were studied in two parallel transects in the estuarine plumes of Pernambuco's major rivers, the Capibaribe (CP) and the Jaboatão (JP), from 2010 to 2011. The archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, with relatively little human influence, was selected as the control area. The particulate organic matter exported via estuarine flow was defined by elemental carbon median values of 2.04% and 0.97%. The C/N ratio of the Capibaribe and Jaboatão plumes featured median values of 6.60 and 9.30, respectively. The principal components analysis (PCA) results suggest that the percentage of POC was influenced by rainfall and that the percentage of TN was influenced by the transport of suspended particulate matter. These differences may result from different loads of human activities and estuary transport dynamics, and the coastal region highlights the complexity of the distribution of organic matter in these environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field activities in several localities within the basin of the Doce River, state of Minas Cerais, Brazil, resulted in the collection of a new Ischnocnema that we assign to the I. verrucosa species series. The new species resembles I. verrucosa and I. octavioi by its possession of small digital discs, short legs, conspicuously tuberculate dorsal surfaces, a W-shaped mark between the shoulders with two large tubercles at the bases, and a red iris with a vertical black bar in life. It differs from I. verrucosa and I. octavioi by its possession of externally indistinct tympanum and tympanic annulus and visible white glandular-appearing nuptial pads in males. We also assign I. octavioi and I. penaxavantinho to the I. verrucosa species series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crossodactljlus bokermanni is a spinythumb frog known only from the type locality and categorized as Endangered or Vulnerable in different red lists. The examination of many unidentified specimens collected in the range of the Serra do Espinhaco, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, revealed that C. bokermanni has a wider distributional range than previously reported. Nontopotypic specimens could not be referred to C. bokermanni earlier because of the confused taxonomy of the genus. A detailed comparative diagnosis is presented, and morphological and acoustical variations are characterized to accurately determine the species limits of C. bokermanni. Previous studies presenting evidence for the decline of the topotypic populations of C. bokermanni are not supported by the available literature, museum collections, and recently collected field data. The conservation status of this species needs to be revised based on the new information regarding the geographic distribution of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the Physalaemus signifer group from the Atlantic Rain Forest of the state of Bahia is described and illustrated. It is characterized by a well-developed vocal sac, second finger with the same size or longer than fourth, finely rugose dorsal skin, and distinct structure of advertisement call, composed of densely aggregated pulses. Information on tadpole external morphology and advertisement call structure are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Physalaemus belonging to the Physalaemus cuvieri species group is described from southern Bahia, Brazil. It inhabits the borders of Atlantic Rain Forest fragments, natural forest clearings, and cacao plantations. The new species is characterized by its medium size, robust body, warty skin, presence of inguinal glands, one pair of dorsal tubercles on the sacral region, and an interorbital black transversal stripe generally covering a pair of tubercles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crustal-scale shear zones are key structures in orogenic belts linked to the assembly of West Gondwana. The Cubatão Shear Zone (CSZ) represents a significant segment of a crustal-scale transcurrent shear zone system that cuts Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic units in the Ribeira Belt (SE Brazil). Despite its tectonic importance, the relationship between transcurrent deformation and orogenesis is still controversial. This work aims to understand this relationship by integrating the transcurrent deformation history of the CSZ with regional orogenic processes through structural analyses, phase-equilibria modelling, and zircon and apatite U-Pb-REE analyses. The results indicate that the CSZ developed within a transpressional setting with a dominant subhorizontal stretching lineation at medium-temperature conditions of 460–520 °C and 4.5–9.5 kbar, consistent with quartz recrystallisation microstructures indicative of subgrain rotation recrystallisation. Igneous-type apatite from the mylonites of the CSZ record ages of ca. 610–570 Ma, which are interpreted as reset ages due to ductile deformation at medium-temperature conditions. Zircon U-Pb geochronology indicates that mylonites are sourced from the Juquiá Granite and the Atuba Complex. The CSZ activity is coeval with the main period of activity of other ductile shear zones from the Ribeira Belt, as indicated by available geochronological data. This age interval coincides with the main period of other regional shear zones activity, voluminous granitic magmatism, regional metamorphism and convergence of the cratons surrounding the Ribeira Belt, indicating active participation of the transcurrent shear zones in the orogenic processes that built up West Gondwana. • The relationship between transcurrent deformation and orogenesis is still controversial. • The Curitiba Shear Zone developed at conditions of 460–520 °C and 4.5–9.5 kbar. • Igneous-type apatite from the mylonites of the CSZ record ages of ca. 610–570 Ma. • The results indicate active participation of the shear zones in the orogenic processes that built up West Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The passive margin of southeastern Brazil is characterized by two coast-parallel mountain ranges, Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira, separated by valleys partially covered with Cenozoic basins. These mountains record fast rock uplift episodes tens of millions of years after the Early Cretaceous continental rifting which are correlated to high sediment influx to the offshore basins. In order to understand how the landscape has been evolving from these events, we integrated new apatite U–Th-Sm/He (AHe) data to a broad apatite fission track (AFT) dataset. Indeed, we performed a model for modern erosion rates based on the relationship of 10Be-derived erosion rates and topographic and climatic parameters. Thermal modeling, together with the published AFT ages, indicate widespread denudation following the Atlantic rift and a peak at Late Cretaceous associated with the alkaline magmatic intrusions and a high-relief extended proto Serra do Mar. From Late Cretaceous and along Cenozoic, Precambrian shear zones and transfer zones seem to exert control in long/short-time denudation rates and delimitates the start position of escarpments. The erosion map shows that modern erosion is focused on the current escarpments and the incised rivers with rates as high as the long-term ones. These rates point to the mobility capacity of the escarpments which have migrated against the low-relief plateaus during Miocene times. In the elevated plateaus, the ongoing surface uplift, disconnection with general baselevel and the loose of drainage area due the escarpment advance, have led to local-relief and erosion rates decreasing, as well as to the weathering profile deepening. Overall, the data suggest that the topographic arrangement between escarpment/low relief highland areas has continuously changed position in space over time, which occurs under control of the Precambrian shear zone and transfer zone reactivations. • At the continental margin of southeastern Brazil, diachronic denudation occurs from the Early Cretaceous to the Cenozoic. • Precambrian NE-SW shear zones and SE-NW transfer-zones control the spatial and temporal pattern of denudation. • The current low-relief highlands were a high-erosive environment before being partially isolated from the regional baselevel. • Denudation is currently focused on the Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira escarpments, originated along Cenozoic. • Fast and localized river incision lead to the escarpments advance against the low-relief plateaus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An indirect way to measure the speed of bottom currents granulometric parameters such as the proxy sortable silt ( S S ‾). This proxy is associated with the sedimentation process and can estimate paleocurrents. This study aims to evaluate the range of the near-bottom current flow speed through the S S ‾ and related to oceanographic processes in the southeastern Brazilian continental slope. The S S ‾ values ranged from 17.08 to 26.23 μm, presenting a mean value of 19.87 μm. The flow speed values were obtained using Ledbetter's (1986) and Miller and Komar (1977) formulas, varying from a minimum of 0.07 and 0.21 m s−1 to a maximum of 0.24 and 0.26 m s−1. The changes in bottom velocities observed in the Campos Basin are influenced by off-shelf export of the sediment, hydrodynamic parameters (Brazil Current, Intermediate Western Boundary Current, and the Deep Western Boundary Current), and the geomorphological characteristics (island, ravine, and halokinesis movement). • An indirect way to measure the speed of bottom currents. • Oceanographic processes in the southeastern Brazilian continental slope. • Mean sortable silt variations in the continental shelf and upper continental slope. • Influence of Vitória Trindade Chain in the current circulation and source of sediment. • Influence of Brazil Current, Intermediate Western Boundary Current, and the Deep Western Boundary Current in the bottom sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The transition of Rodinia into West Gondwana assembly is still debatable. • We present data of mafic magmatism from Meso- to early Neoproterozoic rock units. • Votuverava Group record two distinct periods of Mesoproterozoic juvenile magmatism. • The third event occurred in the early Tonian in the Embu Complex. • Mafic rocks from the southern Ribeira Belt record multiple periods of accretion. Terranes of the Neoproterozoic Ribeira Belt record processes related to West Gondwana assembly. However, the evolutionary history of the belt in the preceding Rodinia supercontinent cycle and its role in the transition to West Gondwana assembly is poorly known. New geochemical and geochronological data of mafic magmatism from Meso- to early Neoproterozoic rock units (1500–900 Ma) integrated with published data provides new constraints to unravel the tectonic setting of the Ribeira Belt. Geochemical and isotopic data from the Votuverava Group and Embu Complex from the southern Ribeira Belt record three distinct periods of juvenile magmatism. Mafic rocks from the Votuverava Group define the oldest magmatism as Calymmian (1490–1475 Ma) and Ectasian (1300–1260 Ma). Both age groups display Th/Yb ratios greater than N-MORB, low Ta/Yb and Nb/La ratios, low Nb and Zr concentrations, negative Nb anomaly, whole-rock ɛNd (T) from +2.25 to +4.01, an Nd two-stage T DM model age spanning 1629–1471 Ma, and zircon εHf T mainly between +5 and +10, characteristics of juvenile mantle source arc-related magmatism. The third event occurred during early Tonian (900 Ma) and is recorded in the mafic rocks from the Embu Complex. Geochemical data indicate that these mafic rocks belong to the tholeiitic series with low LREE enrichment, negative Nb and Ta anomalies, low Nb and Zr contents and low Nb/La and Zr/Y ratios, consistent with arc-related basalts. Whole-rock Sm–Nd isotopic data yielded ɛNd (T) of +0.72 and Nd two-stage T DM model age of 1921 Ma, with zircon Hf isotopes indicating juvenile mantle sources to the mafic magmatism with ɛHf T between +4.5 and +17.2. Thus, mafic rocks from the southern Ribeira Belt record multiple periods of accretion and convergence settings associated with assembly of Rodinia and Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to perform the first analysis of predictive scenarios for a reduction in air pollution and associated costs in one of the largest metropolises in Brazil (city of Fortaleza). The pollutants analyzed were particulate matter (PM) from 2.5 to 10 μm (PM 2.5 and PM 10) between the years 2015 and 2017. We evaluated the benefits to health that could be achieved if pollutant concentrations were reduced to certain values. Considering the predictive scenarios, a short-term reduction in PM 10 by 5 μg m−3 would have avoided more than 130 hospitalizations due to cardiorespiratory diseases per year and a reduction by 20 μg m−3 would have avoided 410 hospitalizations. In monetary terms, this is equivalent to US$ 62,631.84 and US$ 191,329.24, respectively. For the long term, a reduction of 5 μg m−3 in PM 2.5 levels have avoided more than 200 such hospitalizations and a reduction of 10 μg m−3 would have avoided more than 580 hospitalizations, corresponding to US$ 780,595,109.24 and US$ 2,239,924,053.64, respectively. • There are few studies on the costs of air pollution in developed and developing countries. • We observed that public policies, such as improving urban mobility, may be responsible for the decrease in hospitalizations. • The results will be useful to sensitize public administrators to invest in public policies that guarantee human well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geographic distribution of Bokermannohyla lucianae, know only from its type locality in the municipality of Una, is extended 60 km south and 60 km south-west with two new localities in southern Bahia. The species seems to be restricted to remnants of primary and secondary Atlantic Rainforest patches in a small area of southern Bahia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The year 2020 was atypical due to the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19), providing a unique opportunity to understand changes in air quality due to the reduction in urban activity. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to perform an integrated evaluation on the influence of the effects of the 2020 pandemic on air quality in the city of Fortaleza, investigating levels of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , NO, SO 2 , CO, and O 3 , corresponding health risks, as well as the influence of meteorological variables and urban activity. In all phases analyzed, significant reductions were found in NO x , NO, NO 2 , and CO. A considerable reduction in PM 2.5 and PM 10 was found in the early phases, with an increase in the later phases. These findings are explained by the nearly 50% reduction in vehicular traffic and the consequent reduction in fossil fuel emissions, mainly in the partial lockdown and total lockdown periods, as well as reductions in commercial (stores/shops) and industrial activities. The variation in O 3 was initially non-significant, followed by a considerable increase in the last three phases analyzed; this increase was influenced by changes in temperature and the incidence of sunlight. SO 2 concentrations increased in the period studied, demonstrating that the vehicular fleet, local commerce, and other activities are not the predominant sources of this compound. Estimated health risks were reduced by half during the lockdown period, especially for non-smokers, followed by a drastic increase in the last three phases. The planetary boundary layer was positively correlated with O 3 and PM 10 and negatively correlated with NO x , NO 2 , and NO, indicating its influence on the distribution of pollutants in the lower atmosphere and, consequently, air quality., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The Abrolhos bank is home of the richest coral reef system of the Southwestern Atlantic, where endemic coral species are found. It has been reported that Abrolhos' corals are under intense stress due to increasing of Marine Heat Waves during the last decades. Additionally, anthropic interventions along the adjacent coastal regions are a factor of concern since they contribute to the increase in the sediment load and to organic debris input in the reef domain. In November 2015, the collapse of the Fundão mining tailings dam resulted in the release of approximately 50 million m 3 of iron oxide and quartz-rich slurry into the Doce River. Aiming at using a fingerprint of the tailings and to assess the presence of traces of the Fundão dam material from this event on the Abrolhos bank, this work presents new 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and 143 Nd/ 144 Nd isotope ratios of marine suspended sediment samples collected between 2016 and 2020 from a network of sediment traps throughout the reef and complementary suspended material at sea. In parallel, we monitored meteo-oceanographic parameters and modeled surface marine currents as an attempt to identify the sediment transport between the Doce River mouth and Abrolhos bank. The r isotopes were used as provenance proxies based on the fact that minerals and rocks tend to have specific isotopic signatures reflecting their own geological derivation. In this context, the isotopic ratios of various potential regional sources for the sedimentation in Abrolhos bank were evaluated. Our monitoring and isotopic measurements indicate that Doce River signatures are detected at Abrolhos bank, following the seasonal Doce River discharge at sea. Isotopic signature of Doce River at Abrolhos bank was also observed during the austral winter (July-August) when cold fronts migrate at the Brazilian coast with higher frequency and energy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The genus Proceratophrys Miranda-Ribeiro comprises 41 species distributed in South America, especially in Brazil (Nascimento et al. 2019). Proceratophrys species have been traditionally organized into four species groups based on morphology of supraocular and postocular swellings, and presence or absence of rostral appendage (Cruz Napoli 2010). However, these groupings are not supported by molecular data (Teixeira et al. 2012; Dias et al. 2013, Mângia et al. 2018).

The contribution of vehicle emissions to air pollution is considered a large environmental and health problem in big Brazilian cities caused, among other factors, by slow renewal of the old vehicle fleet. Brazilian studies usually only consider traffic-related issues in transportation analysis, with minor assessments of emissions and close to non-existent assessment of air quality. On this background, this research aimed to calibrate and evaluate the Operational Street Pollution Model (OSPM®) to Brazilian conditions by implementing Brazilian emission factors. The urban background concentrations were modeled with the Urban Background Model (UBM) as part of the air quality system (THOR-AirPAS). In this case, we used meteorological data from a ground meteorological station outside Fortaleza processed by meteorological pre-processor and regional background concentrations from the Integrated Forecast System (IFS) as input to UBM. New air quality measurements were collected in busy streets of the city of Fortaleza during the year of 2017. The study collected samples of daily NO 2 and PM 10 concentrations to evaluate OSPM daily estimations. In addition, a transportation travel demand model (TRANUS) has been calibrated to the case study area with observed traffic data collected, in order to provide Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) as inputs to OSPM®. Two sets of emission factors were evaluated. Official Brazilian emission factors were applied to OSPM®, as well as adjusted emission factors derived in the project based on calibration that were higher than the official emission factors. Data showed that concentrations are significantly influenced by meteorological factors (such as temperature, wind speeds, wind directions), and especially precipitation for PM 10 concentrations. OSPM® simulated results showed concentration levels and patterns close to air quality measurements with default emission factors and calibrated emission for UBM but large underestimations if official emissions were used for both UBM and OSPM. Implications : Busy urban streets in Brazilian cities with intense flow of diesel vehicles (such as buses and trucks) can significantly increase air pollution, especially for NO 2 and PM 10 . With OSPM calibrated and evaluated to Brazilian conditions, the model system can be used by authorities to assess the impact of policy measures, such as vehicle access restrictions in Low Emission Zones, in order to consider not only traffic related issues, but also air pollution due to mobile sources with outdated emission technologies.

Eutrophic estuaries receive organic matter (OM) inputs from multiple sources. This study evaluated the distribution and origin of sedimentary OM in an eutrophic estuary (Pina Sound, NE Brazil). Thirteen samples were collected in the sublittoral in addition to major local sources. Biochemical (chlorophyll - Chl), elemental [(C/N)a and C/S ratios] and isotopic (δ 15N and δ 13C) analyses were carried out for characterizing OM and redox conditions. The SIAR mixing model was used to quantify contribution from main sources. At Pina Sound, distribution of OM is associated with mud, reflecting the hydrodynamics control on deposition of suspended particles. Microphytobenthic production is limited ([Chl a] < 1000 µg/g organic carbon) in the sublittoral where the Chl degradation products prevail (mean [Pheopigments] = 2643 ± 958 µg/g organic carbon). Anoxic conditions (C/S ratio ≈ 2) are typically observed in sediments of deeper portions of Pina Sound. Such sediments receive high organic loads and are subject to poor water renewal. According to SIAR mixing model, sedimentary OM of Pina Sound is composed of, on average: 50% phytoplankton, 24% sewage and 26% C3 plants. This reflects fertilization of Pina Sound with high loads of untreated sewage. Pina Sound has a great potential to retain sewage-derived OM.

Paracymbiomma gen. nov. is proposed to include six new species from Brazil: P. angelim sp. nov. (♂ ♀) from São Paulo, P. carajas sp. nov. (♂ ♀), P. bocaina sp. nov. (♂ ♀) and P. caecus sp. nov. (♂ ♀) from Pará, P. doisirmaos sp. nov. (♂) from Pernambuco and P. pauferrense sp. nov. (♂) from Paraíba. The genus is included in Theuminae by having the sternum with posterior region without rebordered margins, strongly protruding between coxae IV and with numerous long and erect setae, and by the vulva with highly convoluted ducts. It can be distinguished from the other members of the subfamily by the male palp with paracymbium, single RTA, bulb with sclerotized conductor and partly sclerotized median apophysis, and by the female epigyne with posteromedian atrium and sclerotized margin, and vulva with copulatory ducts long, strongly convoluted laterally with proximal part (closest to copulatory openings) translucent. Paracymbiomma carajas sp. nov., P. bocaina sp. nov. and P. caecus sp. nov. occur exclusively in ferruginous caves. We provide a discussion on specializations and adaptations of Paracymbiomma gen. nov. and other species of Prodidomidae to the subterranean environment.

Background: End-stage renal disease is associated with several hemodynamic and peripheral muscle abnormalities that could slow the rate of change in oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O2) at the onset and at the end of exercise. This study was performed to determine whether an intra-dialytic aerobic training program would speed [Formula: see text]O2 kinetics at the transition to and from moderate and high-intensity exercise., Design: This study was a randomized controlled trial., Methods: Twenty-four patients with end-stage renal disease (14 females; 47.0 ± 11.9 years) were randomly assigned to either 12-week cycle ergometer-based training at moderate exertion or a similar control period. At initial and final evaluations, patients underwent 6 min moderate and high-intensity tests to exercise intolerance (Tlim)., Results: Training improved Tlim by ∼90% (median (inter-quartile range) = 232 (59) s to 445 (451) s, p < 0.05); in contrast, Tlim decreased by ∼30% in controls (291 (134) s to 202 (131) s). [Formula: see text]O2 kinetics at the onset of moderate-intensity exercise were significantly accelerated with training leading to lower oxygen (O2) deficit (mean ± standard deviation (SD) = 3.2 ± 1.3 l vs 2.3 ± 1.2 l). Similar positive effects were found at the high-intensity test either at the onset of, or recovery from, exercise (p < 0.05). "Excess" [Formula: see text]O2 at the high-intensity test was also lessened with training. Changes in Tlim correlated with faster [Formula: see text]O2 kinetics and lower "excess" [Formula: see text]O2 (Spearman's ρ = -0.56 and -0.75, respectively; p < 0.01)., Conclusions: A symptom-targeted intra-dialytic training program improved sub-maximal aerobic metabolism and endurance exercise capacity. [Formula: see text]O2 kinetics are valuable in providing relatively effort-independent information on the efficacy of exercise interventions in this patient population., (© The European Society of Cardiology 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)

The species of the group rubripes, which harbors the type species of the genus Corinna C. L. Koch, 1842, are revised, including 20 Neotropical species. Three previously known species are re-diagnosed: Corinna rubripes C. L. Koch, 1842, Corinna nitens (Keyserling, 1891) and Corinna mourai Bonaldo, 2000. New records of Corinna nitens are provided, including the first ones from Peru and Bolivia. Seventeen new species, all from Brazil, were described: C. aechmea n. sp., C. balacobaco n. sp., C. caatinga n. sp., C. demersa n. sp., C. escalvada n. sp., C. hyalina n. sp., C. jecatatu n. sp., C. kuryi n. sp., C. loiolai n. sp., C. maracas n. sp., C. regii n. sp., C. telecoteco n. sp., C. tranquilla n. sp., C. vesperata n. sp., C. vilanovae n. sp., C. zecarioca n. sp. and C. ziriguidum n. sp. A key for all twenty species of the group is presented.

Objectives: To identify the most cited articles in general surgery published by Brazilian authors., Introduction: There are several ways for the international community to recognize the quality of a scientific article. Although controversial, the most widely used and reliable methodology to identify the importance of an article is citation analysis., Methods: A search using the Institute for Scientific Information citation database (Science Citation Index Expanded) was performed to identify highly cited Brazilian papers published in twenty-six highly cited general surgery journals, selected based on their elevated impact factors, from 1970 to 2009. Further analysis was done on the 65 most-cited papers., Results: We identified 1,713 Brazilian articles, from which nine papers emerged as classics (more than 100 citations received). For the Brazilian contributions, a total increase of about 21-fold was evident between 1970 and 2009. Although several topics were covered, articles covering trauma, oncology and organ transplantation were the most cited. The majority of classic studies were done with international cooperation., Conclusions: This study identified the most influential Brazilian articles published in internationally renowned general surgery journals.

Background and Purpose: The annual number of new cases of leprosy has not declined in Brazil over the last 15 years, indicating that transmission continues at the same level. To study transmission, we interviewed leprosy patients about their known leprosy contact (KLC)., Methods: Clinical and demographic data were collected from 506 leprosy patients in four health units in the Metropolitan Region of Vitŕia, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. SPSS 9.0 was used as a database and analysis., Results: Two hundred and twenty-six (44.7%) of 506 leprosy patients reported KLC, 136 (60.2%) of 226 were parents. Among 226, the mean of KLC was 1.89 (SD +/- 1.65), and 61.3% had one KLC. KLC as a household contact was reported by 92 (40.7%) out of 226, and 121 (53.5%) had no household contact. KLC were most frequently sisters and brothers in the PB cases, and sons/daughters in MB cases. Mothers occurred more frequently as a KLC than fathers. From the leprosy patients that had reported household contacts, 73% said that at the onset of their skin lesions, the KLCs were either undergoing were not yet released from treatment (RFT), and 23.45% had not begun the treatment yet. Altogether, 62.3% of 226 cases had daily contact with the KLC., Conclusion: In Brazil, household contacts, including the family members (mothers, sisters and brothers), as well as the social contact need to be investigated by the control programs.

This paper reports on the time between the onset of the first lesion and diagnosis, defined as delay, and is based on results obtained by interviewers from a survey carried out amongst 450 leprosy patients in a leprosy endemic area in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória (MRV), state of Espirito Santo, Brazil. The mean age at diagnosis in all cases was 41.47 years and the median was 42.5 years. The mean age at diagnosis in MB (42.9 years) was greater than in PB (38.5 years). The mean of the delay in all cases was 25.25 months, median 12 months and range 0-360 months. The mean of the delay in MB (27.2 months) was greater than in PB (21.3 months). The results of this study suggest that although the delay in leprosy diagnosis in this region of Brazil was not too long when it was compared with other studies in endemic countries, it is still a problem: 65.4% of patients were diagnosed after a delay of 6 months. The Leprosy Control Programme in this state needs more effective health education in order to reduce the current period of delay before diagnosis.